Going online with Starlink is not uninteresting, as is the question of how much it costs. In addition to the fees, there are also one-off costs.
What Starlink costs
The Starlink company offers you internet access via satellite. Starlink has its own satellites in space for this purpose. The main advantage of this is that the company can offer you its service even in remote areas.
- Satellites: Starlink is a subdivision of SpaceX, Elon Musk's space and rocket project. By 2027, 12,000 new satellites are expected to be in space for this service alone. Unlike other providers, these satellites are not at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. Instead, it's only about 500 kilometers.
- Signal transit time: Due to the low height of the satellites, this is significantly shorter than with comparable providers. Because instead of 72,000 kilometers, the data signal only has to travel 1,000 kilometers to the ground station. This means that response times when building websites or gaming are significantly faster.
- Starlink-Kit: In order to use the satellite service, you need a so-called Starlink kit with the special hardware. This includes the electronic phased array antenna, stand, Gen3 router, a fifteen meter long cable for the antenna as well as a fifteen meter long power cable and a power supply whose cable is also fifteen meters long. In Germany, the Starlink kit currently costs 349 euros (as of October 2024).
- Installation: When attaching the antenna, you must ensure that there is a clear view of the sky. The roof is ideal, but a location in the garden may also be a solution. The initial setup is straightforward and usually only takes ten to fifteen minutes. The provider provides an app to find the optimal location.
- Monthly costs: The monthly fees for the satellite service are currently 50 euros (as of October 2024). However, you also receive an unlimited data flat rate. However, the data rate can fluctuate as the Starlink satellite dish connects to a new satellite every few minutes.
More information about the satellite service
If you would like to use Starlink's data flat rate, there are a few facts you should know in advance. There are both advantages and disadvantages that come with Elon Musk's satellites.
- Number of satellites: Up to 42,000 satellites are planned. As of July 2024, SpaceX has launched 6,697 satellites into space. Of these, around 6,370 Starlink satellites have already been active since September 2024.
- Starlink in Europe: Starlink is continually expanding its network. In Europe, Starlink is currently available in Germany, Great Britain, Poland, France, Benelux, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland. However, this is changing quickly as more countries are constantly being added, so it is worth always checking the current status.
- Starlink in Germany: In Germany, almost all areas should be reliably covered, with the exception of a few small islands in the North Sea and difficult-to-access regions in the south. In addition to the satellites, there are two permanent ground stations in Usingen near Frankfurt and Aerzen near Hameln that additionally support communication with the satellites. However, satellites are increasingly being used, which no longer require additional ground stations. The data is distributed among the satellites in space by laser.
- Advantages: If you live in a remote area or your internet connection is poor, satellite internet may be worth it for you. If you primarily use the Internet to watch streams, you shouldn't have any problems with the connection. Furthermore, there is no limit to the amount of data you can download.